A Zimbabwean court has overturned a police ban on a rally by the
opposition Movement for Democratic Change ahead of next week's
presidential run-off election.
MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa says the court granted the party permission on Saturday to
go ahead with Sunday's rally in the capital, Harare. Police had banned
the gathering Tuesday without providing an explanation.
The rally is the opposition's main event before the June 27th run-off
between MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai and President Robert Mugabe.
The MDC says at least 70 of its members have been killed in
pre-election violence. But Mr. Mugabe Friday rejected claims that his
supporters are committing attacks, and accused the MDC of fabricating
the accusations.
Today, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown condemned what he called the
"horrific escalation of violence." He called for an international
investigation of human rights abuses in Zimbabwe ahead of the vote.
The vote follows the first round of elections on March 29th, in which
Mr. Tsvangirai tallied more votes than Mr. Mugabe, but the official
tally showed he did not get enough to avoid a run-off.
Mr. Tsvangirai has been detained five times during his campaign, while
MDC Secretary-General Tendai Biti remains in custody facing a treason
charge and other offenses. He faces the death penalty if convicted.
An MDC spokesman told VOA on Friday that party leaders will meet Sunday to discuss possible plans to withdraw from the run-off.